Methods and apparatus for distributing content between fixed and nomadic servers using attributes. Attributes may relate to, inter alia, the type of content, location of a fixed and/or nomadic content server, a vehicle that includes a nomadic server, an ability to use content, a need for content, vehicle owner information, and/or time.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A system for providing one or more package items to a provided nomadic server, the nomadic server positioned on a provided vehicle, the nomadic server moves with the vehicle, the system comprising: a fixed server positioned at a location, wherein while the vehicle is positioned at the location, the fixed server: applies a rule to detect whether a match exists between a first attribute of the one or more package items and a second attribute, the vehicle comprises the second attribute, each package item comprises a content, a respective unique identifier, and the first attribute; transmits a first notice, the first notice comprises the unique identifier of each package item for which the match exists; and receives a second notice, the second notice comprises one or more of the unique identifiers of the first notice, each unique identifier of the second notice corresponds to a respective package item not stored by the nomadic server on the vehicle.
A content distribution system sends specific data packages to vehicles with mobile servers. A fixed server at a location (like a depot) compares attributes. Each package has content, a unique ID, and an attribute (e.g., content type). Each vehicle has an attribute (e.g., route number). When a vehicle is present, the fixed server checks if the package attribute matches the vehicle's attribute. If there's a match, the fixed server sends the vehicle a notice containing the unique IDs of the matching packages. The vehicle responds with a list of unique IDs for packages it *doesn't* already have.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the fixed server further transmits the content of one or more package items of the second notice.
The content distribution system described previously where a fixed server at a location (like a depot) compares attributes to send specific data packages to vehicles, also includes the fixed server transmitting the actual content of the packages identified in the vehicle's response (the list of unique IDs for packages it *doesn't* already have). So, after the vehicle indicates what it needs, the fixed server sends the missing package data.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first notice does not include the content of any package item.
The content distribution system described previously where a fixed server at a location (like a depot) compares attributes to send specific data packages to vehicles, only sends unique identifiers of relevant packages initially. The *content* of the package is *not* sent in the first notification. The initial notice only contains the IDs of packages that match the vehicle's profile.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the fixed server evaluates a Boolean expression to apply the rule.
The content distribution system described previously where a fixed server at a location (like a depot) compares attributes to send specific data packages to vehicles, uses a Boolean expression (true/false logic) to determine if a package's attribute matches the vehicle's attribute. The matching rule is implemented as a Boolean evaluation.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the fixed server: evaluates a Boolean expression to apply the rule; and the rule indicates a match when a result of the evaluation is true.
The content distribution system described previously where a fixed server at a location (like a depot) compares attributes to send specific data packages to vehicles, uses a Boolean expression to determine if a package's attribute matches the vehicle's attribute. The system considers it a match when the Boolean expression evaluates to "true."
6. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first attribute and the second attribute comprises at least one of a flight number, a gate number, an airline identifier, a truck number, and a job number.
The content distribution system described previously where a fixed server at a location (like a depot) compares attributes to send specific data packages to vehicles, uses attributes that can include information such as a flight number, gate number, airline identifier, truck number, or job number. These attributes describe either the content package itself or the vehicle receiving the content.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the fixed server further receives the second attribute when the nomadic server establishes communication with the fixed server.
The content distribution system described previously where a fixed server at a location (like a depot) compares attributes to send specific data packages to vehicles, involves the fixed server receiving the vehicle's attribute information when the vehicle's server first connects or communicates with the fixed server. This allows the fixed server to know the vehicle's characteristics for attribute matching.
8. A method performed by a fixed server for providing one or more package items to a nomadic server, each package item comprising a content, a respective unique identifier, and a first attribute, the fixed server positioned at a location, the method comprising: applying a rule to detect whether a match exists between the first attribute of the one or more package items and a second attribute, the vehicle comprising the second attribute, the vehicle positioned at the location, the nomadic server positioned on the vehicle, the nomadic server moves with the vehicle; transmitting a first notice, the first notice comprising the unique identifier of each package item for which the match exists; and receiving a second notice, the second notice comprising one or more of the unique identifiers of the first notice, each unique identifier of the second notice corresponding to a respective package item not stored by the nomadic server on the vehicle.
A method performed by a fixed server involves sending data packages to vehicles with mobile servers. Each package contains content, a unique ID, and an attribute. The fixed server compares package attributes to vehicle attributes. If there's a match, the fixed server sends a notice to the vehicle with the unique IDs of the matching packages. The vehicle then sends back a notice containing the IDs of the packages it *doesn't* already have.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising transmitting the content of one or more package items of the second notice.
The method of distributing content using a fixed server, matching attributes to vehicles, and sending unique IDs of relevant packages, further includes the step where the fixed server transmits the *content* of the packages identified in the vehicle's response (the list of unique IDs for packages it *doesn't* already have).
10. The method of claim 8 wherein the first notice does not include the content of any package item.
In the method of distributing content using a fixed server, matching attributes to vehicles, and sending unique IDs of relevant packages, the initial notice sent to the vehicle only contains the *identifiers*. The *content* of the package is *not* included in this first transmission.
11. The method of claim 8 further comprising receiving the second attribute when the nomadic server establishes communication with the fixed server.
The method of distributing content using a fixed server, matching attributes to vehicles, and sending unique IDs of relevant packages, further includes the fixed server receiving the vehicle's attribute information when the vehicle's server first connects or communicates with the fixed server. This reception of the vehicle's attribute is required for the comparison.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein applying the rule comprises evaluating a Boolean expression.
In the method of distributing content using a fixed server, matching attributes to vehicles, and sending unique IDs of relevant packages, the comparison of package and vehicle attributes uses a Boolean expression (true/false logic).
13. The method of claim 8 wherein: applying the rule comprises evaluating a Boolean expression; and the rule indicates the match when a result of the evaluation is true.
In the method of distributing content using a fixed server, matching attributes to vehicles using a Boolean expression (true/false logic), the system considers it a match only when the Boolean expression evaluates to "true."
14. The method of claim 8 wherein at least one of the first attribute and the second attribute comprises at least one of a flight number, a gate number, an airline identifier, a truck number, and a job number.
In the method of distributing content using a fixed server, matching attributes to vehicles, and sending unique IDs of relevant packages, the relevant attributes can include information such as a flight number, gate number, airline identifier, truck number, or job number.
15. A method performed by a providing server for providing one or more package items to a receiving server, each package item comprising a content, a respective unique identifier, and a first attribute, the method comprising: applying a rule to detect whether a match exists between the first attribute of the one or more package items and a second attribute, the receiving server comprising the second attribute, the one or more package items stored by the providing server; transmitting a first notice, the first notice comprising the unique identifier of each package item for which the match exists; and receiving a second notice, the second notice comprising one or more of the unique identifiers of the first notice, each unique identifier of the second notice corresponding to a respective package item not stored by the receiving server.
A method for a providing server to distribute content to a receiving server involves comparing attributes. Each package has content, a unique ID, and an attribute. The providing server compares these package attributes to the receiving server's attribute. If there's a match, the providing server sends the receiving server a notice with the unique IDs of the matching packages. The receiving server responds with a list of unique IDs for the packages it *doesn't* already have.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising transmitting the content of one or more package items of the second notice.
The method of distributing content between a providing and receiving server by matching attributes and sending unique package identifiers, also includes the providing server transmitting the actual *content* of the packages identified in the receiving server's response. The providing server sends the missing package data.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein the first notice does not include the content of any package item.
In the method of distributing content between a providing and receiving server by matching attributes and sending unique package identifiers, the first notice only contains the unique IDs of the packages. The *content* of the packages is *not* included in this initial notice.
18. The system of claim 15 wherein at least one of the first attribute and the second attribute comprises at least one of a flight number, a gate number, an airline identifier, a truck number, and a job number.
In the method of distributing content between a providing and receiving server by matching attributes and sending unique package identifiers, the relevant attributes can include a flight number, a gate number, an airline identifier, a truck number, and a job number.
19. The method of claim 15 further comprising receiving the second attribute from the receiving server.
In the method of distributing content between a providing and receiving server by matching attributes and sending unique package identifiers, the providing server receives the receiving server's attributes directly *from* the receiving server.
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November 20, 2010
June 18, 2013
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